Learn the History of Motorola

Most of you probably know Motorola as a once-glorious name in the world of mobile entertainment electronics. Motorola’s “flip phones,” sold under the legendary Motorola razr label, helped shape a generation of mobile communication. Today, Motorola is no longer as prominent in the cell phone market. It is now part of the Chinese Lenovo Group, but continues to sell smartphones under the Motorola brand name. Visit the Motorola Germany website and shop. In this overview article, we take a look at the Motorola product range and the history of Motorola.

The history of Motorola

Motorola was founded in the late 1920s and first made a name for itself with the 5T71 car radio. At the time, the model was one of the first commercially successful car radios. Over the following years, it developed into one of the most important companies in the telecommunications sector. Among other things, Motorola was responsible for the radio equipment used in the Apollo 11 mission. When the first mobile phones appeared in the 1970s, Motorola was at the forefront. To be precise, it claims to have built the first mobile phone ever.

By the end of the millennium, it was the world’s largest manufacturer of mobile phones, and in the new millennium, it continued its success with the “razr” flip phones, perhaps creating the most iconic mobile phone design ever. Nevertheless, the coming years saw a slight downturn. Competition from Samsung and Nokia emerged. Motorola Mobility, which focuses on Motorola’s mobile phone division, remains relevant for us. However, Motorola does not remain in this form for long. Just one year later, Google buys Motorola Mobility for €12.5 billion, only to sell the company to Lenovo in 2014 for €2.91 billion.

Under Lenovo, there was initially some back and forth with the Motorola name. At first, they wanted to continue using it, then Lenovo sold smartphones under its own name again. Then the Motorola name was once again only present in Western markets, with the devices having different names in China. Currently, Lenovo is once again marketing smartphones clearly under the Motorola brand. One reason for this is the revival of the “razr” series as foldables. In China, a middle ground has been chosen. The Motorola logo is emblazoned on the vast majority of Lenovo smartphones and the name “moto” remains, but Motorola no longer appears as a brand name.

Motorola smartphones

Lenovo currently sells four different smartphone series under the Motorola name (to the US store). While the naming in the upper price range is nice and clear, things get a little confusing in the mid-range. Let’s take a closer look.

Motorola razr

The easiest to recognize are the smartphones in the Motorola razr series. Lenovo markets its flip phones under this name. The horizontally foldable devices are based on the iconic Motorola razr smartphones of the early 2000s, but are packed with new technology. In addition to their familiar name, the razr foldables have attracted attention with their excellent hinges and large front displays. Motorola Edge

Motorola Edge

The Motorola Edge series comprises Lenovo’s non-foldable flagship models. Various models are available, usually a slightly slimmed-down version and a Pro or Ultra model. What makes these devices interesting is their clean operating system, which differs very little from vanilla Android.

Motorola moto g

The Motorola G series represents Lenovo’s mid-range. Each generation usually consists of three devices. The naming convention is as follows: Motorola moto gXY. The first digit stands for the performance of the device and the second digit for the generation. The higher the first digit, the better equipped the smartphone and the higher the second digit, the newer the device.

Motorola moto e

Lenovo’s budget line is somewhat neglected. However, the Motorola moto e brand generally includes inexpensive smartphones for beginners or users with low demands on their cell phones. And in China? In China, the lineup is generally similar. Here, Lenovo also markets the moto G series and, above all, the flip phones from the razr lineup. The Edge series is also available in China, but here it goes by the name moto X. In the past, Chinese moto X devices were often equipped exactly the same as their global equivalents and were therefore often suitable for import. Other Motorola products

And in China?

The lineup is generally similar in China. Lenovo also markets the moto G series here, and in particular the flip phones from the razr lineup. The Edge series is also available in China, but under the name moto X. In the past, Chinese moto X devices often had exactly the same specifications as their global equivalents and were therefore often suitable for import.

Other Motorola products

To the Lenovo brand overview It is not entirely clear how Lenovo will use the Motorola name. Basically, computers and laptops are sold under the Lenovo name, while mobile phones are sold under Motorola. Accessories for both are branded in the same way. Lenovo also offers a number of wearables under the Motorola name. These include various headphones and smartwatches.